What happens when a successful student goes to a low-performing high school? Or when a struggling student goes to a high-performing high school? A recent report about public schools in one city reveals a depressing truth: When it comes to whether a student will graduate on time or drop out, the quality of the school often trumps the abilities and the interests of the student.

In her latest blog for the Huffington Post, Forum CEO Karen Pittman analyzes the data and the implications, and highlights one indicator for student success: their engagement with school.

Join this introductory webinar to learn about the Performance Partnership Pilots (P3). This webinar will provide an opportunity for prospective applicants and interested stakeholders to learn what you need to do to be a part of this unprecedented opportunity to use federal funds flexibly and in innovative ways to help disconnected youth. Find out more about P3 here.

What is collective impact? How does it differ from other forms of collaboration? These are hard questions to answer, even for collective impact practitioners. That's why the Collective Impact Forum created a short motion graphic, Tackling Complex Social Problems through Collective Impact. In just two minutes, it explains how collective impact works and why it's an effective approach for social change.

Careers

Future of the Millennial Workforce

Worried about getting a job? So are 3.4 million unemployed young people across the United States. Join these online conversations to get facts and tools to help:

Monday Dec. 15, 3 p.m. ET: Got solutions on how to help the future of the millennial workforce? Share them in the #MillennialMon Twitter chat, co-hosted by SparkAction, United Way and Young Invincibles.Wednesday Dec. 17, 6 p.m. ET: Hear stories from young people and employers, and ask them questions in this Google+ Hangout On Air. Find out more.

Afterschool

Youth Work Methods Training of Trainers

Want to learn how to train your afterschool staff to increase the quality of their work? The Weikart Center's Youth Work Methods Training of Trainers course teaches staff how to deliver the Youth Work Methods courses, which empower direct staff with tools to increase the quality of their instruction and can lead to higher youth engagement.

The course consists of four weeks of distance learning, three days of live training in Richmond, Va., and one week of distance follow-up. Registration deadline is Jan. 5.

New Orleans was recently named by Lonely Planet as one of the top U.S. destinations for 2015. Mark it off your list by joining us there for our fourth annual Ready by 21 National Meeting! Join hundreds of other leaders on March 31 - April 2 to share research, strategies and stories about efforts to improve the lives of kids in communities and states across the nation.